"We want to make it more affordable for customers to upgrade system memory to enhance Windows 2000 performance," said Crucial general manager Scott Schoenherr. He attributed the cuts in part to "increased efficiencies" from Crucial's e-commerce business, noting that orders placed at its Web site have jumped by 26 percent in less than a month. The company is lowering prices a further 10 percent for customers who order from its Web site.

The price reductions apply to 32-, 64-, 128- and 256-Mbyte modules for more than 5,000 computer systems. A 32-Mbyte PC100 SDRAM module that sold for $69.99 on Jan. 11 is now $45.99 before the 10 percent discount for online orders. A 32-Mbyte PC133 module has dropped from $72.99 to $53.99. A 128-Mbyte PC133 module previously priced at $215.99 is now priced at $145.99.

Kingston, meanwhile, is offering Win2000 customers rebates of up to $50 on Kingston memory through its e-commerce partner, NECx (necxdirect.necx.com/hai/serve_page.html?file=NECX/ showcase/Kingston.htm). Kingston is also working with Microsoft Corp. to help channel and retail customers select optimum memory configurations.